Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd delivered emotional testimony in a Los Angeles courtroom on Monday, describing the profound impact of what he called "devastating" social media attacks from his ex-wife, Alice Evans. The 52-year-old star of Fantastic Four is seeking to renew a restraining order against Evans, 57, in what promises to be a grueling nine-day legal battle.
'False Narrative' Damaged Father-Daughter Relationships
Gruffudd told the court that Evans had publicly branded him as a "child abuser, pedophile and drug addict" in her online posts. "It was devastating for me as a father to have that kind of false narrative out there," he testified, visibly shaken. The actor expressed particular concern about how these allegations had affected his relationship with his two daughters, Ella, 16, and Elsie, 12.
Pattern of Harassment and Threats Alleged
As Evans sat in court scrolling through her phone and whispering with her attorney, Gruffudd detailed what he described as a relentless campaign of harassment spanning five years. He recounted multiple disturbing incidents, including Evans threatening to "destroy him and his career" by "Amber Hearding" him—a reference to Johnny Depp's highly publicized legal battles with actress Amber Heard.
Other allegations presented in court included:
- Evans hiring a private detective to follow Gruffudd's new wife, Bianca Wallace
- Threats of physical violence against the actor
- False claims that Gruffudd had been cheating with Wallace for three years before his marriage ended
- Threats to fabricate criminal allegations that could lead to Wallace's deportation
Financial Dispute Complicates Legal Battle
The courtroom drama extends beyond allegations of harassment to include bitter financial disputes. Evans claims she is struggling financially and wants the court to increase the $1,500 monthly spousal support and $3,000 child support payments she currently receives. She alleges she and her daughters were evicted from their home for falling behind on rent, forcing her to sell designer clothes and establish a GoFundMe account to make ends meet.
Gruffudd disputes this narrative, arguing that Evans "purposely got herself evicted" to support what he calls a "false public narrative of financial destitution." He maintains that Evans earned more than $130,000 in 2024 and is capable of working full-time. The actor reports earning approximately $575,000 annually and wants to terminate spousal support entirely, citing what he describes as Evans's "persistent domestic abuse" and violations of previous court orders.
Failed Settlement Attempts Precede Trial
The couple had one final opportunity to settle their differences on February 17, but those talks ended in a stalemate. Judge Michael Convey urged both parties to be "civil" and focus on their children's best interests, warning against turning the trial into a "knock-down-drag-out fight."
Gruffudd plans to call his new wife, Bianca Wallace, 33, as a witness during the trial. The couple married in April 2023 and welcomed a daughter, Mila, in November. Wallace has been central to many of the harassment allegations, with Gruffudd testifying that Evans threatened to create false criminal allegations that could lead to her deportation.
Evans Denies Harassment Allegations
Evans has denied all harassment allegations and opposes the renewal of the restraining order, calling the claims "simply not reasonable or credible." She maintains that her social media comments "were not harassment—they were merely statements made by Alice about her life and current circumstances."
The former couple met on the set of 102 Dalmatians in 1999 and married in Mexico in 2007. Gruffudd filed for divorce in March 2021 after Evans announced their separation on social media. Their divorce was finalized in July 2023, but their legal battles have continued unabated.
Gruffudd is also seeking $43,000 in legal fees from Evans to cover the cost of petitioning the court to renew the restraining order. Evans has opposed this request, calling the amount "unbelievable" and claiming she lacks the financial means to pay.
The trial continues as both parties prepare for what promises to be an exhaustive examination of their tumultuous relationship and its aftermath.
